93rd Street Theatre Casts 'State Fair'

The 93rd Street Summer Theatre Festival (formerly the 99th Street Summer Theatre Festival) kicks off its first season at Christ the King with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical, State Fair.

State Fair is the only musical the famed Broadway auteurs wrote directly for the silver screen. Set in Iowa in 1946, the classic musical celebrates the life of one family as they spend a weekend at the Iowa State Fair competing for prizes and falling in love. Some of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s greatest tunes round out the score including “It’s A Grand Night For Singing” and “It Might As Well Be Spring.”

The show features a cast of all ages and is led by veteran performer Michael Gutrich. Michael is well known to summer theatre audiences having appeared in many shows including Bye Bye Birdie as Albert, Singing in the Rain as Don Lockwood, 42nd Street as Billy Lawler, and George M as George M. Cohan, to name a few.

Michael has performed professionally and also directs and choreographs area shows and his performance work is well known. Playing his wife is Hannah Hayes who also has a resume of roles that includes the title role in Mame, Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, and so many other great roles. Michael’s son will be played by Andrew Gardner and his daughter by Christina Miller rounding out the Frake family. Both young performers have been in numerous shows.

Other cast members include veteran performers Kim Brines (Harriet), Andy Lambros (Lem), Tony Levine (Dave Miller, Chief of Police, and Judge Heppenstahl), Margaret Hayes (Mrs. Edwin Metcalfe) Anitra Hutcherson (The Hoop La Barker) Marybelle Mittenthal (Concession Vendor and Judge), and Elly Condon (Mrs. Metcalfe’s Friend and Balloon Vendor), who have been involved with the summer theatre festival since their high school days.

Other cast members include Donald Fitzgibbon as Pat Gilbert, the dashing young newspaper reporter whose life changes at the fair when he meets the Frake Family, and Kristen Michelle Arnstzen, a newcomer to the program as Emily Arden who longs to be a Broadway star.

The Fairtones are played by Xavier Roe, Jeffrey Gougis, Ian McCafferty (who also plays Harry), Katherine Fennessey (also Vivian), and Sarah Emily Santos, a group of talented singer/dancer/actors who have appeared in may shows.

Other featured players include Tom Moran (Gus), Rachel Green (Eleanor), Joe Streit (The Astounding Stralenko), Kara Hynes (Jeanne), Robert Pasters (Charlie), Ellie Guest (Violet), Peg Fechner (Judge), and Mark Fechner (Clay).

Rounding out the cast is an ensemble featuring Bridget Ryan, Kathleen Sullivan, Annie Chellberg, Allison Pater, Caitlin Hennessey, Erin Ludwig, Amanda Graney, Mia Morgan, Tom Jakubczek, Will March, Julian Rojas, Mary Pasters, Megan Pasters, Fiona Clair, Michaela Dillon, Elizabeth Khouri, Will Witry, and Gaby Escalante. The children’s ensemble includes Shannon Pasters, Mary Grace Junkins, Maggie Fechner, Marty Junkins, Quinn Sullivan, and Shannon Condron.

The show will be under the direction of Patricia Haynes, Michael Gutrich, Stacy Cunningham, and Rose DeSanto. Set design is by Katie McCasland.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. July 16, 17, and 18 at Christ the King, 9240 S. Hoyne, Chicago (Beverly). Ticket are $14 for seniors and kids, and $16 for adults. For more information visit 93rd Street Theatre or contact them at 93rdsttheatre@gmail.com

Watch for more news about the interactive activities combined with the show as we recreate a fair for our audience members.